I'm Not Listening!

Yesterday Wifey and I went to a family wedding. It was a great time. But families will be families and this family event could not pass without the grapevine passing back some negative message about how I was looking a bit fat!


After years of dieting, exercise (and too much eating) this is THE sensitive area of my life. For some reason, family always knows how to go straight for it. But it's ok, because I'm not listening. When it comes to my health, I will consult my health practitioner rather than take advice from overweight retirees on what I "Should" do!!


It's the same with the unwanted feedback that I would get from people who worked for the same company I did or were on my team for a short time or came to a meeting once "to give some input". I am more than happy to take advice, recommendation and constructive feedback and I choose who I receive it from. Frequently I will ask for it. For me, random feedback from others is like someone else's road rage. I don't know what is going on for them, they don't know what is happening for me and I don't know them well enough to put any value on their feedback.


So I am not listening!


Who are you listening to?




Warwick

Happy Birthday!

Yesterday was my birthday.  Yay!

I have long been a believer in not working on my birthday so I spent the day having brunch with some work friends, lunch with an old singing friend and then dinner with Wifey.  It was a hard day, but someone had to do it and I was up to the challenge!!

I would encourage you to also plan to have your birthday off and do something fun.  Even if your birthday is months away, put your leave form in now!

But what is a birthday without presents!!  So here they are.

First, it's a freebie - the Birthday Bash checklist.  Use this on your birthday to look back at the year gone and celebrate your achievements.  Then look forward to the year ahead and build in some fabulosity!  Click here to download the Birthday Bash Checklist.

The second birthday present is a discount off the Get More Energy CD.  This CD has tips, tools and techniques on how you can have more sustainable energy in your life.  Usually $35 plus postage and handling, simply use the discount code "bday42" and get a $20 discount. That makes it only $15 plus postage and handling.  Click here to order the Get More Energy CD.

The third present is a discount off my speaking or MC services.  If you book me to speak/MC at your conference or workshop before the end of May 2010, I will give you 33% off my standard speaking fee.  Just email me to make the booking.


I wish you the best on my birthday and I trust the coming years brings great things!




Warwick

Is it Good or Bad?

So many things happen in our work and personal lives that we label "Good" or "Bad".  In my experience, it is not what has happened, but how we are feeling that impacts on the label we give it.

There is a psychological term "One up/One Down" which usual refers to behaviour in a relationship where one person is Up (in a position of power) and the other is Down (more of a victim mentality).  If we can do it in our relationships with people, we will also do it in our relationships with service providers, business, places and circumstances.

My challenge for you is to let go of the Good and Bad label and adopt the label "Interesting" as in, "That's an interesting situation".  It's not Good or Bad but Interesting.  
You can do something with Interesting.  If it is Bad, you are deflated before you start, if it is Good then you are ok but others may be deflated.  This also takes into account the old saying, "It's not what happens to you, but how you deal with it that counts".

Have an Interesting week!!


Lovin' your work!


Warwick

Is it Too Hard?

Is it too hard?

We face difficult and challenging situations every day.  Whether it is confronting your boss, negotiating a deal, stating an unpopular perspective or making a difficult life choice, we face these situations regularly.

These are tough choices.  But you have to ask yourself, is it too hard?

If you choose not to do something because you don't want to, that's fine but to not doing it because it is too hard is the easy way out.  It is doing the hard thing that builds our strength.  It is facing the challenge that builds our self esteem regardless of the outcome.

When you are faced with a challenging situation, do you avoid it because you don't want to decide or because it's too hard?

I urge you not to take the easy way out.

What about Others?

What about others?


It is very easy to get hung up about how things are for you in a situation, but what about others?


Melbourne recently got hit by a hail storm and unfortunately, wifey and I got caught in it in our 2 week old car.  The car now has serious dents all over it (only the drivers door was spared) and it will now have to be fixed. While that is disappointing and frustrating for us, what about others?


I saw one guy trying to stop water from flooding up the driveway and into his house.  Wifey's relatives have had their patio roof smashed, the TV has images of peoples with their ceilings caved in and others got physically injured by hail at an outdoor festival - so we got off very lightly.


Next time you have a situation, stop to think "What about others?"  


* If you have an irate customer, how would things be from their perspective?
* If you have a disagreement with a colleague, what is the impact of the situation on them?
* If a friend is not doing or saying what you want, what is going on for them?


Considering the situation from different angles helps you get a better and healthier perspective on your own situation and helps you focus on the solution and not the pain or discomfort of your own situation

What does the "X" stand for in TEDx

I have been given the honour of being the Master of Ceremonies for the third TEDx Melbourne session on Saturday March 13th at RMIT. For those of you who are not familiar with TED, it stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design. Presentations of up to 18 minutes are given by leaders in their fields. Check out www.ted.com and see for yourself some of the presentations.

In Melbourne, we have TEDx. It is slightly different in that the "X" signifies that this is not an official TED event but an independently organized event. Having been involved in the second TEDx Melbourne session, I have another perspective. I reckon the "X" also stands for the following:

• X-citement - People get fired up not just by the presentations but the conversations after.
• X-traordinary - Just mixing with people who have a similar interest in stretching their mind exposes you to some amazing people and ideas.
• X-ray vision - Ok...perhaps we are not all Superman but the ideas shared can give you an idea into the future or at least your own future.
• Finally there is the X-factor. The mysterious "A-ha moment" or idea or contact or conversation or unknown thing that you get just from rubbing shoulders with other TEDsters.

If you are interested in coming along, visit the facebook page HERE with all the details and instructions for the day.

So my question for you is, what will you bring to TEDx Melbourne to share with others?

See you there!

Take it ALL!

Are you one of these people who wear their annual leave entitlement like a badge of honour?

"I've got 23 weeks of annual leave owing - I haven't had a real holiday in FIVE YEARS!!"

Surely you have met people like this in your work place or know someone like it?

In Australia we get four weeks of annual leave allocated every year - different countries get more than this and others get less. My challenge to you is to make sure you take all of your allocated leave in the year it is allocated. Our bodies and our minds need the time off to relax and renew. This also revives our spirit and sense of well being. So book your leave in now before your colleagues takes the good slots available!!

Are you up to the challenge?

Image: Oxfam.org.uk